Wire-fence machine



(No Model.) v'2 Sheets- Sheet 1.

I'. H'. W-ARNE. ,E WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

No. 547,945. Patented 055. 15, 1895.

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(No Modl'.) l 2 sheets-sheen 2. P.- H. WA-RNE.

WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

No.543g945. Patented oct. 15, 1895.

l x I NITED STATESl PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK H. VARNE, OF CHESTERFIELD, OHIO.

WIRE-FENCEv MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of'netters ratent No. 547,945, dated october 15, i895. Application filed June 11l 1895. Serial No. 552,461. (No model.)

chines which are designed to apply vertical stay-wires to the line-wires in the construction of wire-fencing, and has for its object the provision of a machine which will be compact in its organization, so as to be stored in a small compass, and which will be. comparatively j light, so as to be conveniently carried about the person, and which will be capable of performing the required Work in a rapid and satisfactory manner.

Otherl objects and advantages of the invention will become manifest as the nature of the invention is understood from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

Figure l is a perspective view showing the application of the invention. Figs. 2 and 3 are respectively an obverse and a reverse side elevation of the machine. Fig. 4 is a top plan view thereof, partly in section. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the needle. Fig. 6 is adetail view of the twisting-wheel detached from the frame or stock. Fig. 7 is a detail section on the line X X of Fig. 2, looking in the direction ofthe arrow. Fig. 8 is a cross-section of the needle on the line Y Y of Fig. 5.

The frame or stock l of -the machine is formed at one end with a bearing-sleeve 2 and at its opposite end with a bearing 3, in which is journaled the hub 4 of the twistingwheel 5, the said bearings 2 and 3 being rightangularly disposed, so that the twisting-wheel 5 occurs in a plane at right angles to the driving-pinion 6, which is keyed to the inner end of a shaft 7, journaled in the bearing-sleeve 2 and in a tubular extension 8, extending outwardly from the said bearing-sleeve 2. The outer end of the shaft 7 has a crank-handle 9 fitted thereto to serve as a convenient means of applying .manual power for the rotation of the shaft 7 and the twisting-wheel 5 through the driving-pinion 6, meshing therewith. The driving-pinion 6 has beveled cog-teeth, which mesh with corresponding beveled cog-teeth 10, disposed around the peripheral edge of the twisting-wheel 5. The bearing 3 is cut away for a short distance on its upper front side to provide a space ll to facilitate rthe entrance of the line-wire into the central opening 12 of the twisting-Wheel 5. A radial slot 13 extends outwardly from the opening 12 through the edge of the twisting-wheel 5 and admits of the line-wire passing readily to the said central opening 12. This slot 13 also eX- tends through the hub 4 and the plate or collar 14, attached to the end of the hub 4, and by means of which the twisting-wheel is held in the bearing 3, the latter being confined between the side of the twisting-wheel and the projecting edge portion of the plate or collar 14, as will be readily comprehended. By having the plate or collar 14 detachably connected with the hub 4 the twisting-wheel can be readily removed from the stock or frame for cleaning, repairing, or for any other required purpose. A gage or stop l5 is attached at one end to the frame or stock 1, and its opposite end projects a short distance beyond the twistingwheel and is adapted to engage with the line or fence wire and to properly position the machine when the latter is in effective service. This gage or stop consists of a strip or bar of metal of proper length and is attached to the frame or stock l by machine-screws or in any convenient manner, and its outer portion curves downwardly, so as to engage with the line or fence wire when moving the machine from an upper to a lower wire, thereby making it possible to properly position the machine with reference to thefence-wires without any special c'are on the part of the operator. A stud 16 projects laterally from the outer face of the twisting-wheel 5 and is intended to form a support for the needle 17,

which is removably attached thereto by ma` chine-screws or similar fastenings. The nee.- dle 17 is a plate or thin bar, preferably of steel, and its front end 1S curvesupwardly and its outer edge curves inwardly from about a point midway of the length of the said needle. The inner portion of the needle is straight, and its outer edge curves slightly, so as to prevent any possible interference of the needle with the free movements of the twisting-wheel. The eye 19 is located in proximate relation to the outer edge of the needle and is oblong and occurs about opposite the ICO opening 12 of the twisting'wheel. The bridge 20 of the eye is thin on the inner edge and is thickened at the opposite edge, thereby admitting of the coils in the stay-wire being formed in close relation or spaced apart, as desired. A second stud 21 is located on the same side of the twisting-wheel with the stud 16 and occurs at about right angles thereto, and this stud forms a support for a spindle 22, upon which is mounted the coil 23 of the stay-wire. This spindle 22 is formed of a short length of tubing and is filled with a wooden plug 24, which is held in place by means of a bolt 25 passing longitudinally through the short tubing and through the stud 21, the nut 26 on the threaded end of the bolt 25 overlapping the edge of the said tubing and retaining the parts in proper position. The spindle 22 tapers slightly, so as to facilitate the removal and the placing of the coil 23 thereon.

For convenience in manipulating the machine the stock or frame 1 is provided with a handle 27, preferably of wood, and which is attached to the frame or stock in any convenient manner, a long bolt 28 being provided for the purpose and passing through the handle 27 and screwing into the frame or stock l.

Villien it is required to use the machine for applying stay-wires to the fence or line wires, the said stay-wires are coiled for the greater portion of their length and in the use of the machine have the coiled portion mounted upon the spindle 22, the straight portion being threaded through the eye of the needle and having its end portion bent and hooked over the topmost line-wire 29, as shown at 30, and the machine is fitted to the line or fence wire immediately below the top wire by having the said line-wire passingthrough the radial slot 13 into the central opening l2 of the twisting-wheel, and by operating the crankhandle 9 the twisting-wheel will be rotated and twist or coil the stay-wire 23 about the line-wire, as will be readily understood. After the stay-wire has been twisted the required number of times about the line-wire the machine is detached from the said line-wire and moved tothe nextlowerline-wire, and is fitted thereto by having the said line-wire enter the radial slot 13, the downward movement of the machine being limited by the gage or stop 15 engaging with the said wire. By operating the crank handle 9 the stay-wire will be twisted or coiled about the line-wire, and this operation is repeated for each line-wire of the series. After the stay-wire has been twisted or coiled around the lower fence or line wires the machine is applied to the topmost linewire and the bent or hooked end 30 of the stay-wire is passed through the eye of the needle and the machine operated, so as to twist the said end about the topline or fence wire. By a proper manipulation of the machine the coils may be caused to touch or they may be spaced apart, as desired, this operation resulting from the bridge 20, which is thin at the inner edge and thickened at the opposite edge. For black or the ordinary iron wire it is desirable to space the coils, thereby providing for the escape of wet and moisture, which if retained would soon result in the complete destruction of the stay-wires by the corrosive action of the moisture, as will be readily understood.

The machine may be provided in a variety of styles, according to the design of the maker. Therefore it is to be understood that inthe embodiment of the same various changes in the form, proportion, and the minordetails of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. A wire fence machinecomprisng a frame. a twisting wheel journaled in the frame and having a central opening and a slot leading outwardly from the said opening, actuating mechanism for the twisting wheel, and a spindle and a needle attached to the same side of the twisting wheel and carried directly thereby, substantially as set forth.

2. In a wire fence machine, a twisting wheel having formed therewith on one face two rightangularly-disposed studs, a needle secured to one of the studs, and a spindle supported by the opposite stud, substantially as set forth.

3. In a wire fence machine, the combination with a twisting wheel, of a needle attached directly to and carried by the twisting wheel and having an eye in proximate relation to its outer edge,which edge is inwardly curved from a point opposite the said eye, and the bridge of the eye being thinner on the inner side of the needle than on the opposite side, whereby the coils may be closely related or spaced apart as required, substantially as set forth.

4. In a wire fence machine, the combination with a twisting wheel, of a needle attached to one face of the twisting Wheel and occupying a central position, the outer end of the needle curving upwardly and the edge being oppositely curved from a middle point and having an eye formed in the needle in proximate relation thereto, substantially as set forth.

5. In a wire fence machine, the combination with a frame or stock, and the wire-twisting mechanism, of a gage or stop for arresting and properly positioning the machine when moving it from one line wire to another, the same consisting of a bar secured at one end to the stock and having its outer end projecting beyond the wire twisting mechanism and curved, substantially as set forth for the purpose described.

6. A wire fence machine comprising a stock formed at one end with a bearing sleeve and having a corresponding bearing at the opposite end formed with a clearance space, a shaft journaled in the bearing sleeve and having a driving pinion, a twisting wheel having a hub portion journaled in the said bearing and op lIO erated by means of the said driving pinion, a collar applied to thev end of the hub to secure the twisting Wheel in its bearing,a needle attached directly to the twisting wheel, and a spindle for supporting the coil of Wire provided on the same side of the twisting Wheel with the needle, substantially as set forth for the purpose described.

7. The herein-specified fence machine, comprising a stock having a bearing sleeve at one end and a bearing at the opposite end formed with a clearance space, a tubular extension projecting from the said bearing sleeve, a shaft journaled in the tubular extension and bearing sleeve and having a crank at its outer end and a driving pinion at its inner end, a gage projecting outwardly from the stock, a twisting wheel operated from the driving pinion and having a hub on one face which is journaled in the said bearing, `and having rightangularly-disposed studs on its opposite face, a collar attached to the inner end of the hub for securing the twisting wheel in its bearing, a needle secured to one stud, and having its outer end oppositely curved, and having oneend curved away from the plane of the needle, the eye in the latter being formed in proximate relation to the outer edge of the needle, and a spindle secured to the other stud and extending) parallel with the needle, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in thev presence of two Witnesses.

FRANK H. WARNE.

Witnesses:

FRANK E. CAWLEY, JAMES N. CHOPPELL. 

